Tooth brush and tooth paste holder



Dec. 29, 1936.

F. M. BOUCHARD TOOTH BRUSH AND TOOTH PASTE HOLDER Filed Oct. 9, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 29, 1936- F. M. BOUCHARD TOOTH BRUSH AND TOOTH PASTE HOLDER Filed Oct. 9, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 29, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TOOTH BRUSH AND TOOTH PASTE HOLDER Frank M. Bouchard, St. Elmo, Ala. Application October 9, 1935, Serial No. 44,298

11 Claims. (01. 15-135) through the tube receiving pocket or sleeve of This invention relates to an improved tooth brush and tooth paste holder and one object of the invention is to provide a tooth brush having associated therewith means for holding a tube of tooth paste in such a position that it will not interfere with use of the brush in the usual manner.

Another object of the invention is to so mount the tube of paste that while it will be held out of the way when using the brush, it can'be easily shifted to a position in which paste may be expelled from the tube onto-the brush and the tube shifted longitudinally of the brush during application of the paste and thus cause the paste to be distributed along the entire length of the brush.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the tube holder that it may be easily applied to a brush of a conventional, construction and size, thus making it unnecessaryto manufacture a brush of a special construction in order to apply the attachment to it.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the tube holder that a portion thereof may be engaged by the usual cap of the tube to hold the tube and holder close against the handle of the brush after paste has been applied to the brush with the tube extending longitudinally of the handle where it will be out of the way and not interfere with grasping the handle in the usual manner.. By having the tube and holder held against the handle by the cap of the tube, the tube will be released for use by merely removing the cap, and as the cap must be replaced in order to secure the tube against the handle proper closing of the tube will be assured.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tube holder which is simple in construction and capable of being manufactured at a small cost, and the tooth brush and tube of tooth paste sold as a combination, at a reasonable price.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a tooth brush having a tube of tooth paste connected with its handle in accordance with this invention and shown in its retracted position against the rear portion of the handle.

Fig. 2 is a perspective showing the tube shifted forwardly into position for applying paste to the brush.

Fig. 3 is a perspective of the rear portion of the tooth brush handle with the tube carrier in a released position and ready to be shifted forwardly.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken transversely the holder along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a view of the blank from which the sleeve of the holder is formed.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 3

ing of tufts of bristles or formed in any other desired manner. The usual opening 4 is formed near the rear end of the handle which is customarily provided in order that the brush may be suspended from a hook when not in use.

In order to carry the tube l, a holder, constructed as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, may be em- .ployed. This holder has a sleeve 5 and an arm 6,

the sleeve and arm being both formed of celluloid in order'that they will be transparent and not prevent the label of the tube being seen and read when the tube is applied to the holder. Therefore, the tube and brush may be displayed for sale upon a card or counter, and a purchaser can see the label of the tube and ascertain the brand of tooth paste in the tube. The sleeve is formed from a blank I, which is substantially triangular in shape as shown in Fig. 5, but has itsbase or forward end portion 8 formed with straight out parallel side edges. This provides the blank with side edge portions, which may be overlapped and secured by wire clips 9, or in any other desired manner to form a sleeve of sumcient diameter to fit about the tube and the handle of the brush. The strip of celluloid from which the arm 6 is formed, extends longitudinally through the sleeve with its rear end portion bent upwardly as shown at It], and then forwardly over the rear portion of the tube to provide a portion II which is secured to the sleeve by a staple l2. In spaced relation to its forward end, the arm 6 is bent upwardly and then rearwardly to provide portions 13 and M, the portion 13 being formed with an opening l5 to receive the neck It of the tube l and this portion of the arm being so spaced from the portion l0 that a tube of a predetermined length may be thrust into the sleeve and have its neck engaged through the opening l5. By providing the portion H, the free forward end portion of the arm may be easily grasped and the portion l5 swung forwardly into position to perstaple ll.

opening. The tube is held in engagement with the arm not only by the celluloid from which the arm is made but also due to the fact that the neck of the tube is snugly received in the opening I! and interlocking engagement takes place between threads of the neck and the portion ii of the arm. When paste in the tube has all been used, the flattened tube can be removed and a new tube substituted therefor.

The tube is to be slid longitudinally of the tooth brush from a retracted position along the rear portion of the handle 2 to an advanced position for use and also mounted for tilting movement to an inclined position in which paste may be expelled from the neck l6 onto the bristles when pressure is applied to the tube. In order to slidably and tiltably mount the tube, the sleeve is'provided with a tongue I! formed from a strip of celluloid extending longitudinally under the arm with its rear end secured thereto by a wire At its forward end the tongue is formed with an opening or eye I! through which passes a strip 20 formed of resilient metal, and referring to Fig. 3, it will be seen that this strip extends longitudinally of the brush handle and has its rear end portion bent to form a hook or eye 2| extending through the opening I and then rearwardly along the handle and upwardly at the end of the handle and forwardly back to the' opening where it terminates in a bill 22 extending into the opening. The strip curves forwardly from the eye and at its front end terminates in a hook 23 extending through a loop or bracket 24 formed from a strand of wire and having its arms passed through openings 25 drilled in the handle of the tooth brush and bent against the back thereof as shown at 26 to hold the bracket to the handle. It will thus be seen that the mounting strip and bracket will be firmly applied to the handle and the tube holder slidably and tiltably connected with the strip, and that a tube of tooth paste may be easily applied to the holder. It will also be noted that when the tube is in the retracted position with the rear end portion of the handle extending through the sleeve 5 under the tongue II, the neck of the tube will engage through the bracket as the tube and holder are shifted forwardly. The cap 21 can then be screwed upon the neck of the tube and as the cap will engage the bracket when tightened, the tube and holder will be firmly but releasably held in a retracted position against the handle of the brush. When so disposed, the tube of paste will be close against the rear portion of the brush handle where it will be out of the way and not interfere with the use of the brush in the usual manner.

When it is desired to apply paste to the brush, it is merely necessary to remove the cap, and the tube and holder can then be shifted rearwardly to disengage the sleeve from the brush handle, and then shifted forwardly along the strip 2| until the tongue I! is flexed forwardly and the tube disposed at an incline with its neck over the bristles of the brush as shown in Fig. 2. Pressure is applied to the tube to expel paste as the tube is shifted rearwardly and the paste will be deposited upon the bristles. The tube and holder can then be returned to the retracted position and the cap replaced. The hook 23 prevents the forward end portion of the strip 20 from moving away from the brush handle beyond the position shown in Fig. 3.

In Fig. 6 there has been illustrated a tube holder of a modified construction. In the figure. the sleeve 21 and arm 2| correspond in construction to the sleeve 5 and arm 8 and are therefore not described in detail in this embodiment of the invention. The strip 29 and bracket 30 correspond to the strip 20 and bracket 24 and are formed respectively from a strip of resilient metal and a strand of strong wire. The element which distinguishes this form of holder from that previously described is the link or" tongue 3| which is formed of a strand of wire bent to assume a U-shape and having a bridge 32 and arms 33. This link straddles the strip 2! and its arms have their free end portions bent to form hooks 34 which engage through openings formed in the sleeve 21 at opposite sides of the overlapped portions of the blank from which the sleeve is made. The hooks will therefore be so located that when the neck of a tube carried by the holder is engaged through the bracket the hooks will be disposed at opposite sides of the tooth brush handle. and will not prevent the tube from being disposed close against the handle. The operation of this embodiment of the invention is the same as the form of holder illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

In Fig. 7, the sleeve 35 and arm 3' are formed integral with each other from a blank of celluloid 21 shown in Fig. 8. This blank has a body portion 38 corresponding in outline to the blank illustrated in Fig. 5, but at the apex of its tapered end, terminating in a tongue or extension 1! from which the arm 36 is formed. Overlapping portions of the blank are secured either by wire fasteners such as used in Fig. 6 or by a fastener 42 formed from a strip of bent metal. The sleeve is formed at opposite sides of its overlapped portions with openings 4| corresponding to the openings 34 to receive the hooks 42 at ends of the arms of the link, or tongue 43 which straddles the strip 44. This strip 44 corresponds to the strip 29 and extends through a bracket 45, but attention is called to the fact that the bracket has end portions of its arm bent to form hooked feet 48 engaged about a clamp or collar 41 formed from a strip of metal and secured tightly about the brush handle. It should also be noted that the front end portion of the strip 44 is bent about the collar before the collar is secured about the brush handle and therefore this collar serves as means for securing the front end of the strip as well as a carrier for the bracket. In this embodiment of the invention, the tube is thrust into the sleeve with its neck engaged through the opening in the turned up front end portion of the arm II. and when the rear end portion of the handle is thrust through the sleeve under the arm and the neck of the tube engaged through the bracket 45, the cap may be applied and securely but releasably hold the tube in its retracted position. After the cap has been removed, the handle may be slid forwardly out of the sleeve and the tube and holder then swung forwardly to a position corresponding to that illustrated in Fig. 2. The operation of this embodiment of the invention is therefore the same as in the previously described forms. The clip 48 which is loosely engaged with the upturned rear end portion of the arm 26 serves as a finger hold and permits the holder and a tube carried thereby to be easily shifted longitudinally of the brush handle.

I claim:

1. A tooth brush having a handle and a brushing head carried by the forward portion thereof and a holder for a paste container shiftable ioning a small hole therein to fit a metal strip fastened to the handle and parallel thereto, whereby the container-may be disposed at an'incline over the brushing head and contents of the container deposited upon the brushing head.

2. A tooth brush having a handle and a brushing head carried by the forward portionof the handle, a strip extending longitudinally of said handle and secured thereto in spaced relation, a holder for a paste container, and a mounting member for the holder secured to and slidable along said strip to permit movement of thecontainer from a retracted position against the bandle to forwardly projected position disposing the container over the brushing head.

3. A tooth brush having a handle and a brushing head carried thereby, a strip extending longitudi'nally of the rear portion of the handle and secured thereto, a holder for a paste container, and an arm carried by said holder, and secured to and slidably engaging said strip to mount the holder for movement from a retracted position against the handle to a forwardly projected position over the brushing head, said arm being adapted to permit tilting of the holder to dis-- lation with its front end free for movement away from the handle, means to limit movement of the front end of the strip away from the handle, a holder for a paste container, and an arm carried by said holder and secured to and slidable along said strip and serving to mount the holder for shifting movement longitudinally of the handle from a retracted position against the rear position of the handle to .a position at an incline 'over the brushing head.

5. A tooth brush having a handle and a brushing head carried by the forward portion thereof, a strip extending longitudinally of the rear portion of the handle and at its rear end secured to the handle, a bracket carried by said handle and engaged about the front end portion of said strip, the strip having a hook at its front end for engaging said bracket and limiting movement of the strip away from the handle, a holder for a paste container, and an arm carried by said holder secured to and slidably enagging said strip to mount the holder for movement from a retracted position against therear portion of the handle to a forwardly projected position over the brushing head.

6. A tooth brush having a handle and a brushing head carried by the forward portion thereof, the handle being formed with an opening adjacent its rear end, a strip extending longitudinally of the handle with its rear portion threaded through the opening and then extended rearwardly along the handle and upwardly over the rear end thereof and forwardly along the handlewith its extremity engaged in the opening, a holder for a paste container, and an arm carried by said holder secured to and slidable along said strip to mount the holder for movement from a retracted position against the rear portion of the handle to a forwardly projected position disposing a container over the brushing head in position for depositing contents of the container upon the brushing head.

7. A tooth brush having a handle and a brushing head carried bythe forward portion thereof, a strip secured to and extending longitudinally of the rear portion of the handle, a holder for a paste container, and an arm formed of a strip of flexible material secured at one end to the holder and'at its other end having an opening slidably receiving said-strip to mount the holder for movement from a retracted position against the rear portion of the handle to a forwardly projected position over the brushing head, flexibility of the arm permitting the holder and a container carried thereby to be tilted to an inclined position whereby contents of the container may be deposited upon the brush head as the holder is shifted rearwardly.

' 8. A tooth brush having a handle and a brushing head carried by the forward portion thereof, a strip secured to and extending longitudinally of the rear portion of the handle, a holder for a paste container including a container encircling sleeve and an arm-extending forwardly from the rear end of thesleeve through the sleeve and forwardly beyond the sleeve with its front end portion extended upwardly and formed with an opening to receive a neck of the container, and an arm carried by the holder and slidably engaged with said strip to mount the holder for shifting longitudinally of the handle from a retracted position to a'forwardlyprojected position at an incline over the brushing head.

9. A tooth brush having a handle and a brushing head carried by the forward portion thereof, a mounting strip extending longitudinally of the rear portion of said handle and secured thereto, a holder for a paste tube, said holder including a sleeve of a diameter to engage about the tube and the handle, a retainer strip having its rear end carried by said sleeve and extending forwardly through the sleeve to engage under a tube, the forward portion of the retainer strip being bent upwardly and perforated to receive the outlet neck of the tube, and a tongue carried by the holder and engaged about the mounting strip whereby the holder may be shifted longitudinally of the handle and tilted to an inclined position when disposed over the brushing head.

10. A tooth brush having a handle and a brushing head carried by the forward portion thereof, a mounting strip extending longitudinally of the rear portion of the handle and secured thereto, and a holder for a paste tube including a sleeve of a diameter to engage about a tube and the handle, a retainer strip having its rear end carried by said sleeve and extending forwardly through the sleeve in position to engage under a tube with a portion projecting forwardly from the sleeve and engaged about the outlet neck of the tube, and a tongue formed from a strand bent to a U-shape and straddling the mounting strip with its arms terminating in hooks engaged through openings formed in the under portion of said sleeve and mounting the tube holder for movement from a retracted position against the rear portion of the handle to a forwardly projected position disposing the holder and tube over the brushing head at an incline.

11. A tooth brush having a handle and a brushing head carried by the forward portion of the handle, a mounting strip extending longitudinally of the rear portion of the handle and having its rear portion secured to the handle, a bracket straddling the front end of said strip, a

10' and having its bridge portion slidably engaged about the mounting strip and its arms terminating in books engaged through openings formed in the lower portion of the sleeve, said tongue serving to mount the holder for movement into and out or a retracted position against the rear portion of the handle with the neck of a tube engaged through the bracket and secured by a cap applied to the neck and engaging the bracket.

FRANK M. BOUCHARD. 

